Waterbury evening Democrat., 1887-12-19
CHAPTER XIV
THE ATTEMPT.

The last night that we ever spent to- gether was a very quiet one We sung but little-only the usual number of hymns in our worship. But we talked late and thoughtfully. We were never all to meet again in this world, and the sha- dow of the separation was already upon us.
 The next day was long and tedious All our usual exercises had lost their zest, and we could do little but discuss in low tones the coming effort We would not risk an attack in the morning, for that would have given our enemies all day to search for us. It was far better to wait for evening, even if the day seemed well nigh endless. Slowly the sun rose up, reached the meridian and disappeared be- hind the jail. We watched the shadow slowly moving up the hill opposite our window till it had we'll nigh reached the line on the summit that usually marked our supper time. The hour was come! We shook hands with strong, lingering clasp, for we knew not how many of us might be cold in death before the stars came out. Capt. Fry, who was tender hearted as child, wept at the parting He had two coats, and as he had imme- diate use for one only he loaned the other to me. It was wonderful boon, for I was nearly destitute of clothing. Every thing that we felt ought to be taken we secured about us, so as not to be in the way of the coming struggle. We still had on hand a lot of books belonging to Rev. George MacDonell, who had sent them in not long before. We had not dared to re- turn them for fear of arousing suspicion, and carefully piled them in the corner and wrote him 8 note thanking him for the use of them.
 At length the noise of shuff1ing feet and the voices of the colored women who carried ill our provision was heard in the hall sound always welcome, for we were hungry enough to make the coming of our miserable dinner a great event. The door was unlocked-Only one was kept fastened in the daytime now-our food was handed in and the door locked as usual, while the company moved on to give rations to the other prisoners.
 Again we heard the shuf11ing feet in the hall as the walters returned. For a mo- ment felt a sharp, knifelike pang shoot to my heart. So keen was it that I thought for moment that my physical strength was about to fail in this time of sore need-something that had never always in the presence of danger had
 
 an instant it passed away, and looked about to see if all were at their post. A glance was enough to show that there would be no flinching. The men looked pale, but their teeth were firmly set, and they were leaning slightly forward like a horse straining on the bridle. If there was any fear it was that they would strike even too soon. As for Capt. Fry, whom had seen weeping 8 few moments before, he was perfectly calm and his face wore pleasant smile.
 As the jailer unlocked and opened the door for the bread pans to be passed out, Fry stepped forward in such manner that it could not be closed, and said very quietly as if it were the most natural thing in the world:
 "A pleasant evening, MT. Turner.'' We had no thought of hurting the old man if it could possibly be avoided, and hoped to frighten him into surrendering and giving up the keys without any alarm. "Yes, rather pleasant" responded he, in dazed and bewildered manner. He could not understand what Fry had come out there for.
 The action of the next few moments was so quick and under such fever of and deeds vary widely. Ihave reconciled them as far as I can, not always follow ing my own recollections when the pre- ponderance of evidence is strongly against me.
 "We arc going to take 8 little walk this evenng-we are going out of here,' D continued Fry, standing close to him, and ] looking ill his eye to see the first symptom of motion. I was by his side equally watchful. There was no fear of an alarm being given by the colored women. They were frightened nearly white, but were our friends, and had enough of their wits about them to remain silent.
 l TO BE CONTINUED.